Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem pulled out all the stops when
he spoke with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during his visit to Baghdad
yesterday. Cem spoke with Saddam for one hour and ten minutes and
during that time clearly put forward Turkey's proposals for restoring
peace in the region.

Cem said that Turkey was ready to help Iraq rescue the present
critical situation and restore the stability that prevailed in the
region prior to 1990, on condition that Iraq agreed to get in line with
UN decisions without a moment's delay. Foreign Minister Cem also
reaffirmed that Turkey would continue to attach great importance to
safeguarding Iraq's territorial integrity. He stressed that along with
Iraq's acceptance of UN measures, Turkey would cooperate with Iraq to
develop economic growth. The elimination of Iraq's stockpile of weapons
of mass destruction would however be a matter of regional cooperation.

Reports following the almost 24 hour visit of Ismail Cem to Baghdad
note that his visit was viewed "positively" both by the Iraqi leadership
and the UN. Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, has already
praised Turkish efforts through Ismail Cem to mediate in the current
crisis between Iraq, the UN and the US.

Leading CNN reporter covering the Iraq crisis from Baghdad, Peter
Arnett, interviewed Cem after his official meetings and Cem again
stressed that Turkey wanted a peaceful solution to the crisis. Cem was
optimistic that Turkey would be instrumental in securing a peace without
bloodshed.

Talking with journalists later, Cem said that the results of his
visit confirmed that Turkey was indeed both an influential and powerful
country in a position to do much to prevent a military confrontation.
Cem warned that the danger was not yet over however, despite all the
efforts being made to find agreement.

Back at home in Turkey, and around the world debate over the
situation and when confrontation could break out continues unabated with
some sources suggesting February 17. Fears that Iraqi forces could hit
targets in Turkey have led to increased fears in sensitive areas around
Incirlik base near Adana. Both Britain and the US have announced their
intention to see the matter through to the end, and have promised each
other total support. /All papers/

Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Salim
Dervisoglu, received US Commander of the Sixth Fleet Vice Admiral
Charles Abbot yesterday in his office, where Abbot said that the visit
had nothing to do with the Iraq-UN crisis. Abbot noted that his area of
duty was limited to the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, and added
that he aimed to further develop bilateral relations with Turkey.
Completing his contacts in Ankara, Abbot proceeded on to Antalya. The
flagship of the US sixth fleet "USS Lasalle" arrived in Antalya
yesterday. The ship, which carries 600 crewmen, will stay in Antalya
until 9 February. /Sabah/

On the occasion of the 61st anniversary of secularism becoming a
part of the Republic of Turkey's Constitutional Law, President Suleyman
Demirel and party leaders issued messages reaffirming Turkey's belief in
this principle, the Anatolian news agency reported.

President Demirel, emphasizing that secularism should not be
regarded as an element of division or conflict, said, "Our people have
long accepted secularism, which is one of the Turkish state's main
principles and it will not be changed."

President Demirel has oficially invited Pope John Paul II to
Turkey. In his invitation Demirel said that he would be honoured to
welcome the Pope to Turkey. Demirel also emphasized that the Pope's
visit could well coincide with the anniversary in the year 2000 of Jesus
Christ's birth, and could open a fresh page in relationships between the
Vatican and Ankara. /Milliyet-Hurriyet/

Energy and National Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer said on
Thursday that a report evaluating the feasibility and environmental
impact of the Baku-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline, was ready.

Ersumer held a press conference on Thursday to announce that the
research report on the pipeline which will carry Central Asian oil to
Turkish Ceyhan harbour outlets was ready. Ersumer said that the report
had been prepared by the German PLE company and that discussions
regarding alternative projects would be completed within three days.
/Sabah/

In ongoing clashes between Turkish security forces and PKK
terrorists in the southeastern province of Mardin, 12 terrorists have
been killed. One officer and two soldiers have also been killed in the
clashes. /Sabah/

On Tuesday night four Greek hooligans attacked a privately owned
Turkish motor yacht moored in on the Khios island harbour. The owner of
the vessel, Cesme Deputy Mayor Mustafa Cenger, is staying on the Greek
island together with his family for holiday. The hooligans broke the
windows of the motor yacht and tore apart the Turkish flag. /Sabah/

Officials from the World Bank affiliated International Finance
Council (IFC) together with representatives of the Istanbul Chamber of
Industry (ISO) will visit the southeastern cities of Gaziantep,
Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. The visit aims to investigate the
economic potential of the region and is organized in line with an
agreement signed last November by ISO and World Bank officials in
Washington. /Hurriyet/

Central Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $313 million
during one week and reached $19.860 billion by 30 January. Foreign
exchange reserves totalled $18.698 billion last year. International
reserves increased by $44 million and amounted to $29.400 billion.
Turkey paid out $143.5 million in foreign debts on 2-4 February. Since
the beginning of this year, total payments have amounted to $1.490
billion. /Sabah/

A draft law, which envisages extensive changes in the Turkish
Criminal Code affecting 496 articles, has been submitted to the
Presidency of the Turkish Parliament. If the draft law is passed, the
death penalty will be done away with and replaced by life imprisonment.
/Sabah/